This is a Patek Philippe pocket watch made for Benjamin Lathrop and donated to the Society of California Pioneers, which I visited last week, by Lathrop's granddaughter, Elsie. This gold watch is inscribed, "Manufactured for G.B. Lathrop 1st of January 1870 BGL Patek Philip No 32604."

The mini photos on the face were applied with ceramic tissue enameling, according to the museum.

I'm very curious about this item because of the Lathrop name. I know that Lathrop was the maiden name of Leland Stanford's wife, Jane. Leland was a governor of California, bigwig with Union Pacific Railroads, and founder of Stanford University (my alma mater). I tried to find a connection between these Lathrops, who appear to be powerful Californians, and Jane, but have yet to. Anyone know anything?

From my recent trip to the Society of California Pioneers...

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stefdesign, 4 years agoI did a quick search on Ancestry.com, and found Jane Lathrop was born in Albany New York, her father was named Dyer Lathrop. It looks like he lived in or near Albany all his life, so seems doubtful she is from the same Lathrop family.